Cutoff mechanism



Oct. 18, 1949. J. F. PETERS 2,484,854

CUTOFF MECHANISM Filed Ju1y-11, 1945 s sheets-sheet 1 es H l I i: 3 L t Oct. 18, 1949.

J. F. PETERS 2,484,854

CUTOFF' MECHANISM Filed July 1l. 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS @CL 18, 1949. J, F, PETERS 2,484,854

kCUTOFF MECHANISM Filed July 11, 1945 s sqheets-sheet 3 v Jy? 7 Se .f-

INVENTOR.

BY MAQ? ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 18, 1949 CUTOFF MECHNISM John F. Peters, Leonia, N. J., assigner to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 11, 1945, Serial No. 604,397

.. 8 Claims. (Cl. 164---48)l The present invention relates to a sheet metal cutting mechanism and has particular reference to improved devices for severing tubular material into sheet lengths suitable for can or container bodies while the material is advancing along path of travel. 1

Can bodies are sometimes made from tubular stock which is formed from strip material. Sometimes the strip material is pre-cut along transverse lines of severence which partially divide the strip and the resulting tube at spaced intervals along their length and thus set off a plurality of short can body lengths connected by uncut portions. Whether the strip or tube is precut or not, considerable diiiiculty has been experienced in severing the tube into can bodies of accurate length, especially under high speed production.

'I'he instant invention contemplates overcoming this diiliculty by providing an improved cutting-oit mechanism which travels with the movlng tube and accurately severs the can bodies from the moving tube so that high speed rates of production may be easily obtained.

An object of the invention is the provision of an improved cutting-off mechanism for sheet material which includes cooperating pairs of cut,- ter elements between which a wall portion of a tube to be cut may be passed and cut as the cutter elements are brought together against the tube While moving with the tube so that continuous operation and high speed rates of production may be had.

Another object is the provision in such a cutting-olf mechanism of devices which operate to move the cutter elements in unison and in time with and in the direction of travel of the moving tube so that the cutting operation may be accurately effected While the tube is in motion.

Another object is the provision in a cuttingoif mechanism of this character of gauging devices wherein a partially divided tube having precut lines of severance may be gauged as it advances into the cutting mechanism so that the pre-cut lines of severance may be properly loinvention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 isa perspective view of a portion of a machine embodying the instant invention, the view showing a tube in place to be cut into can bodies and parts broken away;

' Fig. 2 is anenlarged detail view in longitudinal vertical section of a portion of a mandrel for supporting the tube and showing a tube in place, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the mandrel in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 4--4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an emerged side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away and parts shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a plan view partially in horizontal section, taken substantially along a plane indicated by the line 6--6 in Fig. 5 with parts broken away; and A Fig. 7 is a transverse section taken substantially along the line 'l--l in Fig'. 5, with parts broken away.

As a preferred embodiment of the invention the drawings illustrate a cut-off mechanism for severing can bodies from a tube A being formed from a continuous strip B of sheet metal, such as tin plate or the like, in a continuous operation machine, although the invention is equally well adapted to the cutting oii' of can bodies from preformed tubes if desired. The tube formed from the strip is of suilicient length to produce a plurality of the can bodies. It preferably is pre-cut or partially divided at spaced intervals along its length, along transverse lines of severance or slits C, D. These slits extend partially around the tube, leaving short uncut portions E, F and G which hold the bodies together in tube form for handling.

In the machine the partially divided strip B is flexed or bent longitudinally into tubular form as it is continuously advanced along a straight line path -of travel. Its outer longitudinal edges are brought into adjacent overlapping position and are secured together in a side seam, as by welding. This produces the tube Aj The' tube thus formed contains a plurality of potential can bodies, set off by the lines of severance C, D but still connected by the uncut portions E, F and G. The uncut portions F and G are incorporated in the Side Seam of the tube, while the uncut portion at its inner end by a bracket I2 bolted to a frame Y I3. Frame I3 may constitute the main frame of the machine to which the cutting mechanism is attached. The pre-cut strip B is curled longitudinally around this mandrel to form the tube A. The tube is advanced continuously along the m'andrel in any suitable manner.

Overlapping of the longitudinal edges of the strip B as it passes onto the mandrel I I is effected by a stationary guide iinger I 5 and a pair of guide rollers I6. The rollers are located one on each side of the mandrel. The guide finger I5 is secured to an angle plate I8 bolted to the mandrel bracket l2. The guide rollers I 6 are freely mounted on short vertical studs 2I which are carried in brackets 22 bolted to the frame I3.' These rollers also support the mandrel intermediate its length.

Welding of the overlapped edges of the strip B to form a side seam for the resulting tube A n preferably is eiected by the usual outside disc electrode 25 and a cooperating inside electrode (not shown). This is a conventional welding devic'e'and forms no part of this invention, the welding operation being effected continuously as the tube advances along the mandrel.

The separating or dividing of the tube A into individual can bodies H is brought about by a l severing of the uncut portions E, F and G adjacent the slits C, D, as hereinbefore mentioned. The uncut portion E is located at the bottom of the mandrel II and the side seam and its uncut portions F, G are located on top of the mandrel. This severing of the moving tube is effected in part by a pair of oppositely disposed upper and lower shear blades or cutters (Figs. 1, 5 and 7) These are located outside the mandrel II adjacent the discharge end thereof in line with the uncut portions E, Fand G. A cooperating shear head 36 (see Fig. 2) is also used, said head carrying a pair of oppositely disposed shear blocks or anvils 31. The anvils are located inside the tube A adjacent the end of the mandrel and are in line with the shear blades.

The shear blades 35 are movable in two directions, namely, longitudinally of the mandrel II along the path of travel of the moving tube A, and radially toward and away from the tube. For this purpose the shear blades 35 are mounted in an annular housing 4 I which surrounds the mandrel and which is reciprocable along the path of travel of the tube on the mandrel.

The shear blocks 31 within the tube are movable in one direction only and that longitudinally of the mandrel. Such movement is in unison with the shear blades 35 and in time with the advancement of the tube. In order to bring about this cooperative movement between the shear blades and the shear blocks while maintaining them in proper alignment relative to each other for the shearing operation to be performed on the tube, the shear members are connected to a unit part and are actuated from a single source of power.

For this purpose the shear head 36 is formed in the shape of a cross having four outwardly projecting arms 42 (Figs. 2 and 3), two horizontal and two vertical. These slide in corresponding longitudinal slots 43 located in the discharge endv of the mandrel II.

The two shear blocks 31 are carried in suitable locating grooves 44 formed in the outer ends of the two vertical arms 42 of the shear head 36. The two horizontal arms 42 are shorter than the vertical arms and the ends of these horizontal arms are secured to a pair of slide bars 45. Bars 45 slide in longitudinal grooves 46 (see Fig. 4) formed in opposite sides of the mandrel I I. These slide bars extend back along the mandrel and project beyond the inner end thereof. In such position they clear the strip B as it moves into position around the mandrel.

The inner ends of the slide bars 45 are secured in a bracket 48 (see Fig. 1). This bracket is sufliciently wide to bridge the path of travel of the strip B. At the outer sides the bracket 48 carries a pair of long rods 49 which are disposed outside of and are parallel with the mandrel II and the tube A carried thereon. These rods 43 extend along the mandrel toward its discharge end and connect with the annular housing 4I which carries the shear blades 35. Through this connection theshear head 36 and housing 4I are tied together for movement in unison, as hereinbefore mentioned.

In order to maintain accurate alignment of the shear blocks 31 relative to the shear blades 35, the slide bars 45 and the long rods 49 are water cooled so that any heat expansion or elongaton due to unbalanced temperatures in the bars and rods will be overcome. In the slide bars 45, the cooling medium is circulated through passageways 5I (Fig. 4) formed in the bars and through a connecting passageway 52 (Fig. 2) in the shear head 36. Inlet and outlet tubes 53 (Figs. 1 and 6) carried in the bracket 48 and connecting with the inner ends of the bars in the bracket, lead from any suitable source of the cooling medium and lead to a suitable place of discharge for the used water to complete the circulation system.

The long rods 49 are made hollow and the cooling medium is circulated through these rods by Way of inlet tubes 54 and outlet tubes 55 (Figs. 1 and 6). The inlet tubes are secured in the bracket 48 and connect with the inner ends of the rods and lead from any suitable source of the cooling medium. The outlet tubes 55 are connected to the outer ends of the rods and lead to any suitable place of discharge for the used water.

The longitudinal. reciprocation of the shear head 36 and the annular housing 4I along the path of travel of the tube A and in time with the travel of the tube, is brought about by cam action. For this purpose the housing is formed with a horizontal tongue 6I (Fig. 5) which extends back parallel with the mandrel II. Such a tongue operates in a slideway formed in a bearing bracket 62 on the frame I3. This tongue also supports they housing. The inner end of the tongue carries a cam roller 63 which operates in Fig. 7). The chain operates over a drive sprocket 1I mounted on a main drive shaft 12. Shaft 12 is journaled in bearings 13 formed in the frame i3. This shaft may be rotated in any suitable or desired manner.

Hence as the barrel cam 65 rotates, it reciprocates the annular housing 4| and the shear head 36 connected therewith, along the path of travel of the tube A on the mandrel il through a forward or cutting stroke and thence through a return stroke. On the cutting stroke the housing and shear head move at a lineal speed equal to that of the moving tube. At such time the shear blades 85 of the housing and the shear blocks 31 of the shear head are in registry with the pre-cut slits C, D in the tube.

During this forward stroke, while the tube A and the housing and the shear head 86 are all advancing at the same speed of travel, the tube A is gauged for proper location of the slits C, D. This relation of the shear blades 35 and shear blocks 31 insures that the separation of the can body H from the tube takes place exactly along the slits C, D. Gauging of the tube is brought about by a pair of gauging fingers (Figs. l and 6) ,which are disposed adjacent to and are located one on each side of the mandrel rI i.

The gauging fingers 15 are mounted on pivot pins 16 (Fig. 6) secured in--lugs 11 which extend out from the annular housing 4|. With such a mounting the lingers can swing inwardly toward the moving tube A on the mandrel The free or gauging end of each finger is formed with a gauging hook 18. The opposite end o f the finger is formed with an actuating arm 19 having a longitudinal T-slot 8|. A T-shaped button 82 secured in a sleeve 83 which is freely mounted on each long rod 49, has engagement within the T-slotl8l.

There is one of these sleeves 83 for each long rod 49 and they are tied together by a transverse tie b r 84. This insures unitary sliding movemeny of the sleeves along and relative to the rods when desired. The tie bar 84 is formed with a depending lug 85 (Figs. 5 and 7) which carries a cam roller 86. 'Ihe cam roller operates in a cam groove 81 formed in the barrel cam 65 and this cam groove is adjacent the cam groove 64.

The cam groove 81 extends around the barrel r cam 65 in parallelismwith the groove 64 and in spaced relation thereto for a major part of the groove length and except for one short section 88. The groove at this point takes a path of travel slightly closer to the groove 64. With such a construction of cam grooves the gauging fingers 15 are held in a normal position away from the tube A while the annular housing 4| carries them engage the tube adjacent the slits C, D, as shown r in Fig. 6.

When the cam rollers 63, 86 come to the place in the cam grooves 64, 81 which corresponds with this engagement of the gauging ngers 15 on the tube A, the cam groove walls are relieved out- At such a time the tube A still continuously I moving ahead at the desired speed, engages the hooks 18 of the gauging fingers and thereby picks up the housing 4| and itsassociated parts and carries them forward with the tube. This, it

will be seen, is independent of the cam 65, the propelling force being that of the moving tube itself.

This insures engagement of the gauge fingers 15 with-fthe tube at the spaced locality of the slits C, D to locate the shearing blades 35 of the housing di and the shearing blocks 31 of the internal head 36 in proper relation to the uncut portions E, F and G of the tube for the cutting operation. An accurate can body H is thus severed from the tube. The separation of the can body Hfrom the tube A while the tube is Imomentarily pushing the annular housing 8| and its associated parts forward is brought about by the inward movement of the shearing blades 35. These blades move against the shearing blocks 31 through cam action.

For this purpose the shear blades 35 are mounted in a pair of vertically disposed slide -blocks 92 (Figs. 1, 5 and 7) which operate in vertical slideways 93 formed in the annular housing 4|. The outer ends of the slide blocks 92 are formed with T-shaped tongues 95 which are engaged in and horizontally slidable along ways 88 formed in horizontal shelf members 91 of a pair of brackets 98. This construction permits of reciprocatory motion of the slide blocks 92 with the annular housing 4| along the path of travel of the tube A as well as movement toward and away from thev tube.

Thereis one bracket 98 for each shear blade 35. The two brackets are movable vertically in slideway members 99 which are bolted to extensions |0| formed on the frame |3. The brackets 98 carry cam rollers |03 which operate in grooves |04 of a pair of rotary face cams |05 mounted on the inner ends of a pair of short cam shafts |06 journaled in bearings |01 formed in the frame I3.

The outer ends of the cam shafts |06 carry bevel gears |08 which mesh with similar gears |09 mounted on a vertical drive shaft The drive shaft is journaled in a set of three spaced bearings ||2 formed on the frame |3. The lower end of the shaft carries a bevel gear ||3 which meshes with and is driven by a bevel gear ||4 mounted on the continuously rotating main drive shaft 12.

It is through this train of slides, rotary cams, gears and shafts that the shear blades 35 are reciprocated toward and away from the tube A while being simultaneously reciprocated longitudinally of the mandrel I, as hereinbefore mentioned. This inward movement of the shear blades 35 cuts through the uncut portions E, F and G of the tube A which are the only means of holding the potential can body H integrally with the tube and this cutting action completes the separa-tion of the can body from the tube and results in the individual can body H.

As soon as the separation of a can body H from the tube A has been effected, the barrel cam again takes control of the forward movement of the annular housing 4| and its associated parts and continues such forward movement for the remainder of the stroke. During this remaining portion of the stroke the gauge fingers 15 are drawn from the tube into their normal retracted position.

The annular housing 4| and the shear head 36 return relative to the forwardly moving tube A to a position adjacent the next set of slits C, D and uncut portions E, F and G in readiness for the next forward stroke of the housing, to cut oil? the succeeding partially cut aligned body of the tube. This completes the cycle of operation of the cutting mechanism.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. A cut-off mechanism for severing a tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies while the tube is advanced along a path of travel, comprising a housing surrounding and movable with said tube, a pair of oppositely disposed inner and outer cutter elements between which a wall portion of the tube passes, the outer of said cutting' elements being mounted on and movable relative to said housing inwardly towards said tube for cutting through the interposed wall portion of the tube, and actuating means for moving said housing and said cutter elements in unison in time with and in the direction of travel of the tube to effect the cutting of the tube at a predetermined place along its length while it is being advanced.

2. A cut-oil` mechanism for severing a tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies while the tube is advanced along a path of travel, comprising a movable housing surrounding said tube, outer cutter means mounted on said housing for movement towards and away from said tube adjacent and outside of the path -of travel of the tube, inner cutter means located within the path of travel of the tube for cooperation with said outer cutter means for cutting the tube, and actuating means for moving said housing and said inner and outer cutter means in unison in one direction in time with the travel of the tube and for moving said outer cutter means relative to said housing to effect the cutting off operation while the tube is moving. l

3. A cut-o mechanism for severing a tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies while the tube is advanced along a path of travel, comprising an inner cut-off head disposed within the path of travel of a tube to be cut, a plurality of inner cutter elements mounted on said head, a plurality of outer cutter elements located outside of the path of travel of the tube for cooperation with slide member mounted exteriorly' of 'and adjacent said mandrel and movable longitudinally thereof, means connecting said members together so that they move as a unitary structure, actuating means operable on one of said mem-bers for' moving both of them in unison through said connecting means and in time with and inthe direction of travel of the tu-be along said mandrel, an inner cutter anvil secured to said inner head member, an outer cutter knife disposed in alignment with said inner cutter anvil and slidably mounted in said outer cut-oi slide member, and means for shifting said outer cutter knife toward and away from said inner cutter anvil in time with the movement of said members for severing the tube as it advances along said mandrel.

5. A cut-off mechanism for severing a tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies while the tube is advanced along a path of travel, comprising a, mandrel for supporting and guiding the moving tube to be cut, an irmer cut-off head member mounted in said mandrel for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, an outerV cutoi slide member mounted exteriorly of and adjacent said mandrel and movable longitudinally thereof, connecting rods connecting said members together so that they move. as a unitary said inner cutter elements, and actuating means structure, actuating means operable on one of said members for moving both of them in runison through said connecting means and in time with and in the direction of travel of the tube along said mandrel, an inner cutter anvil secured to said inner head member, an outer cutter knife disposed in alignment with said inner cutter anvil and slidably mounted in said outer cut-off slide member, means for shifting said outer cutter knife toward and away from said inner cutter anvil in time with the movement of said members for severing the tube as it advances along said mandrel, and means for maintaining said connecting rods at the same temperature to hold them against change in length to maintain said inner cutterv anvil and said outer cutter knife in cutting alignment. Y

6. A cut-off mechanism for severing a tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies while the tube is advanced along a path of travel, comprising a mandrel for supporting and guiding the moving tube to be cut, an inner Icut-01T head member mounted in said mandrel for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, an outer cutoif slide member mounted exteriorly of and adjacent said mandrel and movable longitudinally thereof, hollow connecting rods connecting said members together yso that they move as a unitary structure, actuating means operable on one of said members for moving both of them in unison through said connecting means and in time with and in the direction of travel of the tube along said mandrel, an inner cutter anvil secured to said inner head member, an outer cutter knife disposed in alignment with said inner cutter anvil tube is advanced along a path of travel, comprising a mandrel for supporting and guiding the moving tube to be cut, an inner cut-oil head member mounted in said mandrel for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, an outer cut-off .and slidably mounted in said outer cut-oil slide member, means for shifting said outer cutter knife toward and away from said inner cutter anvil in time with the movement of saidmembers for severing the tube as it advances along said mandrel, and means for circulating a cooling medium through said hollow connecting rods to maintain them at the same temperature and against change in length to keep said inner cutter anvil and said outer cutter knife in cutting alignment.

7. A cut-olf mechanism for severing a moving tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies along uncut portions coincident with pre-cut lines of severance partially dividing the tubes, comprising a mandrel for supporting and guiding the moving tube to be cut, an inner cut-off head member mounted in said mandrel for sliding movement longitudinally thereof, an outer cutoff slide member mounted exteriorly of -and adjacent said mandrel and movable longitudinally thereof, means connecting said members together so that they move as a unitary structure, cam means operable on one of said members for moving both of them in unison through said connecting means and in time with and in the direction of travel of the tube along said mandrel, an inner cutter anvil secured to said inner head member, an outer cutter knife disposed in alignment with said inner cutter anvil and slidably mounted in said outer cut-olf slide member, cam means for shifting said outer cutter knife toward and away from said inner cutter anvil in time with the movement of said members for severing the tube as it advances alon'g said mandrel, gauge iingers mounted on said outer cut-olf slide member for engagement with the moving tube for 1ocating the pre-cut lines of the tube relative to the outer cutter knife for the tube cutting operation, and cam means for shifting said gauge fingers into and out of gauging position in time with the advancement of the tube.

8. A cut-olf mechanism for severing a moving tube into short lengths suitable for can bodies along uncut portions coincident with pre-cut lines of severance-partially divldingthe tube, comprising a pair of oppositely disposed cutter elements between which a wall portion of the tube passes, said cutting elements having relative movement for cutting through the interposed wall portion of the moving tube, actuating means for shifting said cutter elements in unison in time with and in the direction of the tube to eiect the cutting of the tube, and gauge elements movable with said cutting elements for engaging the tube at the pre-cut lines of severance and for transferring the propelling force of the cutting elements from said actuating means to the moving tube for aligning and maintaining the uncut portions of the tube with the cutting elements prior to and during the cutting of the tube to insure severance of the tube at the pre-cut lines of severance.

JOHN F. PETERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,498,550 Johnston June 24, 1924 1,519,754 Butler Dec. 16, 1924 1,591,069 Witte July 6, 1926 1,648,829 Sessions Nov. 8, 1927 2,198,599 Borzym Apr. 30, 1940 

